radiator question - pressure washer

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Jul 6, 2007 | 07:20 AM

GAFordBuyer

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radiator question - pressure washer

With summer here I've amassed a large enough collection of 1/2 splattered bugs on my radiator to start a professional entomology exhibit. This may be a dumb question, but I've got a Suzuki 4-wheeler and I need to be careful, when cleaning it, not to get the pressure washer too close to the rad as it can bend the small fins in it. The radiator in the truck seems much sturdier, and doesn't get anywhere near the abuse that the wheeler does (mud, rocks, more mud, branches, etc) but my questions are

1. any reason to avoid hitting the rad full blast with a pressure washer to get the crispy bugs off?

2. I've got the stock honeycomb front grill for now - is there anyone out there making any type of product, like a mesh net mounted behind the grill, to keep them out of the radiator? Not sure if that would be a good idea or not......

Jul 6, 2007 | 07:39 AM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Brentwood,CA

Well I assume you don't have A/C if you can see the radiator fins. The radiator fins are pretty strong but I would not use a pressure washer too close.

Jul 6, 2007 | 07:50 AM

NASSTY

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 2,474

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From: ME

I picked up a mesh bug net thingy at Walmart.It is supposed to go over the outside of the nose of the truck.I've been planning on cutting it and putting it on the front of the a/c condensor to keep bugs out of the fins on the condensor.I haven't got around to installing it yet.

For now I use a soft bristle paint brush and brush the bugs out of the fins.Sometimes I blow them out with my air compressor.
I'm not sure if a pressure washer would damage the fins or not.It may be ok if you turn the water pressure down a bit.

Jul 6, 2007 | 08:19 AM

Corey872

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Joined: Dec 2003

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Not sure for your specific case, but any pressure washer I have seen would destroy the fins in a radiator pretty quick if used at full force.

If I get a bad accumulation, I usually try and soak the bug goo with cleaner or soap first - ie spray em down and let em set for 5 minutes or more to loosen the goo. Then use the pressure washer or car wash wand from 8-12 inches away and most everything will wash off.

There are products specifically for cleaning coils, too.

Jul 6, 2007 | 12:25 PM

corinthfireman408

Cross-Country

Joined: Nov 2006

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I would not spray the water directly in the radiator anyway, it seems to me it would only push them deeper into the radiator. A brush might work ok.

Jul 6, 2007 | 01:34 PM

VFR_Man

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 662

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From: CO

Mesh for grille

I just happened to see these mesh fronts in Cabela's catalog the other day:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21412-cat20133&id=0005914520560a&navCount=2&podId=000591 4&parentId=cat20133&masterpathid=&navAction=push&c atalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat201 33&hasJS=true

I would guess other sources have the same thing too.

Jul 6, 2007 | 06:44 PM

thechief96

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2007

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I wouldn't use it too close to your grill either you may not like it if if takes off the plastic chrome.

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Jul 6, 2007 | 08:28 PM

last5oh_302

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 1,063

Likes: 329

From: Ontario

I always thought that condensing coil was part of the tranny cooling system.

Last edited by last5oh_302; Jul 6, 2007 at 08:33 PM.

Jul 7, 2007 | 08:15 AM

#10

NASSTY

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 2,474

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From: ME

I'm glad GAFordBuyer started this thread.It got me motivated to get a project done that I kept putting off for the last month or so.I bought a bug screen at Walmart that was supposed to cover the nose of a vehicle.I cut it to fit and attatched it to the front of the a/c condensor with some wire ties.It works good.I just came back from a ride and there were dead bugs on the screen.I gently patted the screen and the bugs just fell off.Not bad for a $5 mod.

Jul 8, 2007 | 11:38 PM

#11

GAFordBuyer

Thread Starter

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thanks for replies. Yep, meant condenser - had the radiator of my 4-wheeler on the brain when I posted. Nasty - that is a great mod - I may have to borrow that idea.....

Jul 9, 2007 | 11:22 AM

#12

FTE Trigger

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 3,392

Likes: 0

From: Greenvile, SC

A nice water hose (to keep the critter remains moving) and a fin comb should get it clean so you could "mod" over the condenser and or rad.

Jul 9, 2007 | 03:37 PM

#13

Steve_Uzi

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2000

Posts: 1,191

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From: USA

Personally I have a porch screen over the radiator like NASTY has. I have this on my ATV as well.. it keeps most of the big clumps of mud out... and makes cleaning the Radiator much easier! I only use a house hose to clean that radiator